There is a mature 12 to 15 ft Ponderosa Lemon tree growing well about 4 miles from me. It produces loads of thick skinned navel style lemons, similar to Italian lemons, which I understand are even hardier and will grow here in Eastern North Carolina. 3 years ago the owner rooted over 100 cuttings, which he sold ready potted. I bought several at $5 a pot. These were 1 to 2 foot tall small trees, which is pretty good value. I kept one for myself and gave others as gifts and also work colleagues were paying for them. Unfortunately, I planted mine in an exposed area, open to the north wind and quite honestly didn't look after it like I should have. It died after 2 years. In the ensuing years I have driven past the mature lemon tree to have a gentle nose. Particularly in the winter. We have had temps around 20F and slightly below and yes it does it appear to have died back on some of the branches after such cold weather, but it springs back to life again come 'Spring'. It is semi-exposed to the weather, being behind the main house and in front or to one side of a shed. The owner doesn't dress the tree for frost protection and it seems it has to be 20F at least before die back occurs. I guess I know it's there and that i can always get another small tree from him, so I haven't bothered re-visiting the notion. Instead, I am growing an Owari Satsuma. It's been in the ground since March and doing well, of course it hasn't gone through winter yet. The Owari satsuma is a spindly specimen and nothing like the orange trees that we had in Arizona. I have planted this in a south facing location with staking and tying and with some degree of protection from the north wind, about 15 feet from the back of the house. Safer would have been directly against the back of the house, but then there's the house foundations to consider. Anyway, all I can say is that lemons and they are 'true' lemons are alive and well here in Eastern North Carolina, half way between Richlands and Jacksonville.

What Jane said, but IMO you may want to replace the string with a twist-tie or something that will not 'cut' into the plant as it grows. It will be very helpful to get it supported so there is minimal movement for the next several months while roots develop and 'dig-in' to the media. Root-wise, there is not much to work from there, so don't be too disappointed if it doesn't survive, happens to all of us :( . Good luck, Bob

Certainly could be! Although not native, V, dilatatum has naturalized widely in the midAtlantic area, to the point where it is even considered invasive in some locations.

Thank you ladies. I edited my post because we actually head out of NC into SC at or near a little town called Landrum (which did btw have some good antique shops last time we were there). @DLM2000-GW I love real antiques and I love to dig for a treasure but I am not crazy about junk stores. Nice consignment stores would be good too. I see people who find great things at Good Will, etc. but not here near me. My husband and I love to antique and we have been a few times as the pandemic has died down. One good thing is if we go on a week day - there are very few others shopping, so we have felt safe. I know there is the big store still in Asheville, down near the river (I believe it flooded once) and I have found a few things there but that place is HUGE and I get overwhelmed and tired! I'm sure we will find at least a place or two, and we will enjoy the outdoors too and just getting away for a few days! I don't know if any of you are close to Black Mt., but there used to be an antique store there, with quite a bit of items outside. They had a PET ROOSTER, it was kind of their mascot. I am thinking that place has closed though. If you think of any stores let me know! My sis and I and our husbands will visit here or there a couple of times a year I'm sure, but we were trying to come up with some places in between where we could meet up for a couple of days. They enjoy antiques too. I do google before hand when I know what cities we will be in. I'll take a look before we go to see what's left in the area. Thanks.